Transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with functional near-infrared spectroscopy to elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms of post-stroke hemiplegia: a systematic review

1

Post-stroke hemiplegia often results in motor dysfunction due to imbalanced interhemispheric competition and abnormal neural network reorganization.
2

The combined use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) shows promise for assessing and improving post-stroke motor function.
3

Six out of nine studies in the review reported significant improvements in motor function using the TMS-fNIRS protocol, indicating its clinical efficacy.
4

Effective TMS interventions enhance activation of the ipsilesional primary motor cortex and improve interhemispheric balance and functional connectivity.
5

Current studies on TMS-fNIRS have limitations such as small sample sizes and high risk of bias, necessitating larger, standardized trials for better evidence.

1